Air valve seat and land

ABSTRACT

An air valve includes a valve body having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface and the outer surface defining an inlet and an outlet; a sealing device mounted within the valve body, the sealing device including a first contacting portion and a second contacting portion; and a float moveable within the valve body, the float having a first sealing position and a second sealing position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to valves. More specifically, this disclosurerelates to air valves in a fluid system.

BACKGROUND

It is occasionally desirable to remove air from the interior of a fluidsystem to the exterior of the fluid system through an air valve. In manycases, it is also desirable that air from the exterior of the fluidsystem be prevented from entering the fluid system through the same airvalve when air is not being removed from the interior of the fluidsystem through the air valve. When air is being removed from the fluidsystem, the air valve is open, and when air is not being removed fromthe fluid system, the air valve is closed. Over time, seals in the airvalve may deteriorate in quality and effectiveness after repetitiveoperation of the air valve or under a wide range of fluid and fluidsystem conditions. Violent closure of the air valve is also possibleunder certain conditions, which can also cause damage to an air valveseal. In addition, a seal that is suitable for only one small range ofpressures or one type of fluid system has limited use. Even though thefluid type and certain factors may be known, the fluid pressure, thefrequency of air valve operation, and other variables may vary or may beunknown for a particular fluid system.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is an air valve including: a valve body having an innersurface and an outer surface, the inner surface and the outer surfacedefining an inlet and an outlet; a sealing device mounted within thevalve body, the sealing device including a first contacting portion anda second contacting portion; and a float moveable within the valve body,the float having a first sealing position and a second sealing position.

Also disclosed is a method for venting air from a fluid system, themethod including: installing an air valve apparatus, the air valveapparatus including a valve body defining an inlet and an outlet, asealing device mounted inside the valve body, and a float moveablewithin the valve body; moving the float to a first sealing positionengaging the first contacting portion but not the second contactingportion; and moving the float to a second sealing position engaging thefirst contacting portion and the second contacting portion.

Various implementations described in the present disclosure may includeadditional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may notnecessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detaileddescription and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all suchsystems, methods, features, and advantages be included within thepresent disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and components of the following figures are illustrated toemphasize the general principles of the present disclosure.Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may bedesignated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistencyand clarity.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an air valve in accordance with oneembodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 2A is a sectional view of the air valve of FIG. 1 with a float ofthe air valve rising towards a closed position.

FIG. 2B is a sectional view of the air valve of FIG. 1 in the closedposition.

FIG. 3 is a sectional detail view of a float, sealing device, and coverof the air valve of FIG. 1 with the air valve in the closed position,taken from detail 3 of FIG. 2B.

FIG. 4 is a sectional exploded view of the sealing device of the airvalve of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5A is a sectional detail view of the float, sealing device, andcover of the air valve of FIG. 1 with the air valve in a slightly openposition, arranged in the view of detail 5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5B is a sectional detail view of the float, sealing device, andcover of the air valve of FIG. 1 with the float in initial contact witha first contacting portion of the sealing device, arranged in the viewof detail 5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5C is a sectional detail view of the float, sealing device, andcover of the air valve of FIG. 1 with the float in initial contact witha second contacting portion of the sealing device, taken from detail 5of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5D is a sectional detail view of the float, sealing device, andcover of the air valve of FIG. 1 with the float in initial contact witha third contacting portion of the sealing device, arranged in the viewof detail 5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the float, sealingdevice, and cover of the air valve of FIG. 1 with the air valve in theclosed position, arranged in the view of detail 3 of FIG. 2B.

FIG. 7 is a sectional exploded view of the sealing device of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8A is a sectional detail view of the float, sealing device, andcover of FIG. 6 with the air valve in a slightly open position, arrangedin the view of detail 8 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8B is a sectional detail view of the float, sealing device, andcover of FIG. 6 with the float in initial contact with a firstcontacting portion of the sealing device, arranged in the view of detail8 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8C is a sectional detail view of the float, sealing device, andcover of FIG. 6 with the float in initial contact with a secondcontacting portion of the sealing device, taken from detail 8 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8D is a sectional detail view of the float, sealing device, andcover of FIG. 6 with the float in initial contact with a thirdcontacting portion of the sealing device, arranged in the view of detail8 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of an air valve in accordance with anotherembodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 10A is a sectional view of the air valve of FIG. 9 with a float ofthe air valve rising towards a closed position.

FIG. 10B is a sectional view of the air valve of FIG. 9 in the closedposition.

FIG. 11 is sectional detail view of the air valve of FIG. 9 with the airvalve in the closed position, taken from detail 11 of FIG. 10B.

FIG. 12 is a sectional exploded view of the sealing device of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13A is a sectional detail view of a sealing device of the air valveof FIG. 9 with the air valve in a slightly open position, arranged inthe view of detail 13 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13B is a sectional detail view of the sealing device of FIG. 11with a poppet valve of the sealing device in initial contact with thefirst contacting portion of the sealing device, arranged in the view ofdetail 13 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13C is a sectional detail view of the sealing device of FIG. 11with a seat of the sealing device in initial contact with the secondcontacting portion of the sealing device, arranged in the view of detail13 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13D is a sectional detail view of the sealing device of FIG. 11with the poppet valve in initial contact with the third contactingportion of the sealing device, arranged in the view of detail 13 of FIG.11.

FIG. 14 is a partial section detail view of a sealing device in an airvalve including a poppet valve and a button in proximity to one another,in accordance with another embodiment of the current disclosure andarranged in the view of detail 14 of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed is an air valve and associated methods, systems, devices, andvarious apparatus. The air valve includes a valve body, a sealing devicemounted within the valve body and having one or more contactingportions, and a float or a disc (sometimes spelled “disk”) moveablewithin the valve body and engageable with the one or more contactingportions. It would be understood by one of skill in the art that thedisclosed air valve is described in but a few exemplary embodimentsamong many. No particular terminology or description should beconsidered limiting on the disclosure or the scope of any claims issuingtherefrom.

FIG. 1 discloses one embodiment of an air valve 100 attached to a fluidsystem 90 containing a fluid 210 (shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B). In thecurrent embodiment, the air valve 100 is an air vacuum valve, thoughother air valves 100 would be understood by one of skill in the art tobe included as various embodiments of the current disclosure. Thedisclosure of an air vacuum valve should not be considered limiting asthe disclosed structures and methods may be extended to a variety ofother valves and water control devices including, but not limited to,air valves generally, air release valves, combination valves thatcombine the functions of both an air vacuum valve and an air releasevalve, check valves, anti-shock valves, ball valves, plug valves, conevalves, butterfly valves, and air inlet valves such as vacuum breakervalves. In various embodiments, the air valve 100 may be installed athigh points and change of gradients inside a fluid system 90 or atregular intervals of, for example, approximately every one-quarter mileto one-half mile along sections of the fluid system 90 without clearlydefined high points. However, the disclosure of such installationlocations for the air valve 100 should not be considered limiting on thecurrent disclosure, and the air valve 100 may be installed at anylocation in the fluid system 90 in various embodiments, includingregular or irregular intervals. In the current embodiment, the air valve100 is mounted on a high point of the fluid system 90 to allow air totravel upward by scouring and/or buoyancy in the fluid system 90 to theair valve 100, although the air valve 100 may be mounted at any point ofthe fluid system 90 where air may accumulate or where necessitymandates.

The type of fluid 210 used in the fluid system 90 should not beconsidered limiting on the current disclosure, and may include drinkingwater or other drinkable liquids, wastewater, rainwater, seawater, orother water-based liquids, industrial fluids and chemicals, or fuel, andmay include particulates or other solids or gases suspended or mixedwith the fluid 210.

The air valve 100 includes a valve body 110 with a mounting portion 132that attaches to a mounting portion 92 of the fluid system 90. In thecurrent embodiment, mounting portions 92,132 are mating flanges. Thevalve body 110 of the air valve 100 has an inner surface 101 and anouter surface 102 defining an inlet 103 and an outlet 104. The mountingportion 132 and the mounting portion 92 may connect to one another usingany one or more of a number of different methods including, but notlimited to, threads such as pipe threads, welding, or adhesive, or maybe formed integrally as one part. The valve body 110 includes anenclosure 130 and a cover 120 and may also include one or more plugs190. In various embodiments, at least one of the valve body 110 and thecover 120 are made from ductile iron and are coated on the inner surface101 and the outer surface 102 with a two-part liquid epoxy or fusionbond epoxy coating. The disclosure of a ductile iron material and epoxycoating, however, should not be considered limiting on the currentdisclosure.

The assembled air valve 100 may also include a seal 122 between theenclosure 130 and the cover 120. In various embodiments, the seal 122 isan O-ring. The seal 122 may also be a gasket. The cover 120 is assembledto the enclosure 130 with a plurality of fasteners 125 in the form of aplurality of nuts and bolts in the current embodiment. In variousembodiments, fasteners 125 are hex head bolts made from AISI Type 316stainless steel. Where a fastener such as fastener 125 is disclosedherein, the disclosure of a particular type of fastener such as thefastener 125 with the described specifications, however, should not beconsidered limiting on the current disclosure. Other fasteners orfastening methods such as nails, screws, threads, threaded studs,clamps, weldments or welding, or any other type of fastener may be usedin various embodiments. Additional components may be added to the valvebody 110 or air valve 100, and the components in combination describedabove are not all required.

In various embodiments, the air valve 100 includes a float 250 and asealing device 300. In various embodiments, the sealing device 300 isassembled to the cover 120 with a plurality of fasteners 301. In variousembodiments, the sealing device 300 is assembled to the cover 120 with asingle clamp (not shown) including a screw or equivalent fastener. Whenthe float 250, moveable within the valve body 110, comes into contactwith the sealing device 300 to close the air valve 100, the air valve100 effectively defines an inner chamber 112 and an outer chamber 114that are separated from each other. When the air valve 100 is open,fluid and air in the inner chamber 112 is able to enter the outerchamber 114 and vice versa. In various embodiments, the outer chamber114 includes one or more cover outlets 121 defined in the cover 120which provide passage for air from one portion of the outer chamber 114to other portions of the outer chamber 114. In various embodiments, theone or more cover outlets 121 are openings defined in a spoke and hubarrangement in the cover 120. In various embodiments, the air valve 100includes a hood device which itself includes a hood 140, a screen 145,and a plurality of fasteners 141, which in the current embodiment securethe hood device to the cover 120. Instead of the hood device beingassembled to the cover 120 as shown in FIG. 1, the hood device may beassembled to another portion of the air valve 100 in various otherembodiments or may be assembled to the air valve 100 using a threadedconnection (similarly as shown in FIG. 11, although the structure shownin FIG. 11 should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure).

The float 250 may include one or more guide shafts 255 to limit anddirect the movement of the float 250 in a particular path. In variousembodiments, a lower guide shaft 255 a slides along an axial center of alower bushing 260 a and an upper guide shaft 255 b slides along an axialcenter of an upper bushing 260 b. The air valve 100 may also include abumper 270 to cushion the float 250 when the float 250 nears or reachesits lowest vertical position. The float 250 has an upper surface 251that is convex in the current embodiment but in various embodiments mayhave any one or more of a number of different shapes including, but notlimited to, conical, spherical, flat, or concave. While the float 250 inthe current embodiment is capsule-shaped with a truncated, convex uppersurface, the shape of the float 250 or the location of the float 250within the valve body 110 should not be considered limiting on thecurrent disclosure. In various embodiments, the float 250 may beball-shaped or spherical, truncated, disc-shaped, cylindrical, or haveany other shape. The float 250 in the current embodiment is formed froma rigid material but in various embodiments may be solid or hollow andmay be formed from or filled with a flexible material, and if hollow maybe pressurized with air or another fluid.

In various embodiments, the float 250 becoming buoyant (i.e., float) inthe fluid 210 of the fluid system 90 effectuates the purpose of thefloat 250 responding to and effectively controlling the operation of theair valve 100. In the current embodiment, the float 250 is made ofstainless steel and is formed of two halves welded together to form ahollow interior that allows the float 250 to float in a fluid 110. Invarious embodiments, the float 250 and other internal parts or “trim”are made of AISI Type 316 stainless steel. The disclosure of stainlesssteel for the float 250 should not be considered limiting on the currentdisclosure, however, as the float 250 may be made of other materialsincluding, but not limited to, plastic or rubber. In variousembodiments, at least a portion of the upper surface 251 of the float250 is polished to a mirror finish in order to reduce irregularities atthe upper surface 251 where the float contacts the sealing device 300 inorder to reduce the pressure at which the float 250 seals against thesealing device 300 or otherwise improve sealing. It is possible with theuse of an unpolished float, especially in the case of a float formedfrom plastic, for that float to have a rough surface that trapsimperfections and can suffer from overheating or melting as a result oraccumulates a buildup of sediment or other solids, for example in awastewater system. In various other embodiments, a polished float 250may not be needed or desired. In various embodiments, the float 250itself is sealed in such a way that the float 250 is impermeable tofluid. In various embodiments, a float such as the float 250 may containa weight or a plurality of weights such as shot (including lead shot) orsand to adjust the buoyancy of the float.

In various embodiments, a plurality of floats (not shown) may be usedinside a single air valve. In various embodiments using two or morefloats, including when the fluid system 90 is a wastewater system, itmay be desirable to prevent buildup of waste or solids on an upper floatto prevent interference between the upper float and the sealing deviceor seat or to prevent corrosion of the upper float. In such adouble-float embodiment, the lower float may be directly lifted by arising fluid level (and soiled in the process) while the upper float,which has remained clean, seats properly and firmly against the sealingdevice and closes the air valve thereby.

FIGS. 2A and 2B disclose the air valve 100 with the float 250 in twodifferent positions. FIG. 2A discloses the air valve 100 with the float250, buoyed by fluid 210 of fluid system 90, rising towards a closedposition of the air valve 100. As a fluid level 215 a rises, the float250 also rises. As a result, the upper surface 251 of the float 250approaches the sealing device 300. In various embodiments, as long asthe outlet 104 is uncovered and the fluid pressure within the fluidsystem 90 is greater than atmospheric pressure outside the fluid system90, this movement of the float 250 results from fluid pressure withinthe fluid system 90 forcing air out of the valve body 110 through theoutlet 104. The air escaping the air valve 100 travels from the innerchamber 112 through the outer chamber 114 before exiting the air valve100 via airflow paths 225. When the fluid 210 is at or above a fluidlevel 215 b, as shown in FIG. 2B, the float 250 covers and engages thesealing device 300, thereby covering and sealing the outlet 104. Whenthe float 250 covers the outlet 104, the fluid and the air cease toleave the valve body 110 because the float 250 has a diameter largerthan a diameter of the circular profile of the bore 230. As long as thepressure inside the air valve 100 is at zero gage pressure or below,this venting process is repeated as more air enters the fluid system 90and accumulates in the air valve 100 to move the fluid 210 below fluidlevel 215 b, moving the float 250 away from the sealing device 300. Invalves other than air vacuum valves such as the air valve 100, theventing process is repeated as more air enters the fluid system 90 evenif the pressure is above zero gage pressure.

A draining process (not shown), allows air to enter the fluid system 90to prevent a vacuum condition including when there is a power failure ora breach somewhere in the pipeline of the fluid system 90 or for anyother reason, planned or unplanned. When the fluid 210 in the fluidsystem 90 lowers to a fluid level that effectively empties the fluidfrom the air valve 100, the float 250 moves away from the sealing device300. In such a condition, the fluid pressure is lowered within the fluidsystem 90 so that air from outside the fluid system 90 is drawn into theoutlet 104, through the air valve 100, to the inlet 103 to enter thefluid system 90. During the draining process, as the fluid 210 in theair valve 100 moves below the fluid level 215 b shown in FIG. 2B andthen below the fluid level 215 a shown in FIG. 2A, the guide shafts 255a,b move downward within the guide bushings 260 a,b, respectively, untilthe float 250 contacts the bumper 270. Thus further downward movement ofthe float 250 is prevented. Therefore the float 250 is positioned awayfrom the sealing device 300 and the outlet 104 but cannot continue tomove downward to block the inlet 103. In various embodiments, the float250 is constrained to move in only a single, vertical direction by thevertical movement of the guide shafts 255 a,b, inside the bushings 260a,b, respectively, of the valve body 110.

FIG. 2B discloses the air valve 100 in the closed position with theupper surface 251 of the float 250 in contact with and sealing againstthe sealing device 300 as the result of the fluid 210 at the fluid level215 b, higher than the fluid level 215 a, buoying the float 250 at ahigher position. In the closed position of the air valve 100, a smallamount of air is allowed to remain in the inner chamber 112, but theremaining air originally in the inner chamber 112 has entered the outerchamber 114 of the air valve 100 or exited the air valve 100 entirely.In the closed position of the air valve 100, the lower guide shaft 255 ais shown at least partially remaining inside the lower bushing 260 a.

FIG. 3 discloses the float 250, the sealing device 300, and the cover120 of the air valve 100 with the air valve 100 in the closed position.The float 250 is shown in FIG. 3 in a second sealing position, which isdiscussed in further detail below. The sealing device 300 is shownassembled to the cover 120 with the fasteners 301. In variousembodiments, the fasteners 301 include a shoulder portion 302 and athreaded portion 303. A washer (not shown) may additionally be used withfastener 301 to increase the surface area across which the fastenercontacts the sealing device 300 or to prevent direct contact between ahead of the fastener 301 and the sealing device 300. In variousembodiments, the cover 120 defines a bore 230 further defining a boresurface 231.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the sealing device 300 of the air valve100. In various embodiments, the first contacting portion 310, thesecond contacting portion 320, and the third contacting portion 330 areformed as three separate and distinct parts. A first contacting portion310 of the sealing device 300 includes a contact edge 311, a lowersurface 312, an upper surface 313, an inside surface 314, an outsidesurface 315, and a bore surface 316. In various embodiments, each of thelower surface 312, the upper surface 313, the inside surface 314, andthe outside surface 315 are flat in cross-section. However, thedisclosure of each surface being flat in cross-section should not beconsidered limiting on the current disclosure. In various embodiments,any one or more of the lower surface 312, the upper surface 313, theinside surface 314, and the outside surface 315 are stepped, curved orotherwise of a shape that is not flat in cross-section.

In various embodiments, one or both of the first contacting portion 310and the second contacting portion 320 are formed from one or more of agroup of materials in the nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) family ofsynthetic rubber materials. In various embodiments, the first contactingportion 310 and the second contacting portion 320 are formed from anitrile rubber, which can also be described as Buna-N rubber andacrylonitrile butadiene rubber (ABR). The disclosure of a Buna-N rubberor other NBR rubber, however, should not be considered limiting on thecurrent disclosure, as the first contacting portion 310 or the secondcontacting portion 320 can be made from any one or more of a number ofother materials including, but not limited to, natural rubber, ethylenepropylene diene monomer (EPDM), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), anacetal such as DELRIN resin, fibre-reinforced or fiberglass-reinforcedplastic (FRP), a polyamide such as NYLON resin, a synthetic rubber suchas VITON elastomer, a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) such as TEFLON, andsilicone rubber. In various other embodiments, the first contactingportion 310 or the second contacting portion 320 is formed from amaterial other than rubber. In various embodiments, the first contactingportion 310 or the second contacting portion 320 includes an embeddedcore made from a metallic or other rigid material surrounded partiallyor completely by an elastic material such as one or more of thematerials disclosed herein. In various embodiments, the first contactingportion 310 or the second contacting portion 320 is made from a materialthat is resistant to attack by the chlorine or chloramines used in somewater supplies. In various embodiments, the first contacting portion 310or the second contacting portion 320 is made from a peroxide-cured EPDMor similar material with increased resistance to chlorine orchloramines.

In various embodiments, a material hardness of a first material formingthe first contacting portion 310 measures within a range between 10 onthe Shore A scale and 90 on the Shore A scale. In various embodiments, amaterial hardness of a first material forming the first contactingportion 310 measures within a range between about 20 on the Shore Ascale and 90 on the Shore A scale. In various embodiments, a materialhardness of a first material forming the first contacting portion 310measures within a range between about 10 on the Shore A scale and about40 on the Shore A scale. In various embodiments, a material hardness ofa first material forming the first contacting portion 310 is less thanor equal to about 20 on the Shore A scale. The disclosure of a materialhardness of the first contacting portion 310 being less than or equal toabout 20 on the Shore A scale, however, should not be consideredlimiting on the current disclosure.

A second contacting portion 320 of the sealing device 300 includes acontact edge 321, a lower surface 322, an upper surface 323, an insidesurface 324, an outside surface 325, and a bore surface 326. In variousembodiments, each of the lower surface 322, the upper surface 323, theinside surface 324, and the outside surface 325 are flat incross-section. In the current embodiment, the upper surface 323 isdisclosed as having a stepped shape in cross-section, the upper surface323 made up of multiple flat portions, some of which are non-coplanar.However, the disclosure of each surface being either flat or stepped incross-section should not be considered limiting on the currentdisclosure. In various embodiments, any one or more of the lower surface322, the upper surface 323, the inside surface 324, and the outsidesurface 325 are stepped, curved or otherwise of a shape that is not flatin cross-section. In various embodiments, a material hardness of thesecond contacting portion 320 is greater than a material hardness of thefirst contacting portion 310. In various embodiments, a materialhardness of a second material forming the second contacting portion 320measures within a range between 10 on the Shore A scale and 90 on theShore A scale. In various embodiments, the material hardness of thesecond material forming the second contacting portion 320 measureswithin a range between about 20 on the Shore A scale and 90 on the ShoreA scale. In various embodiments, the material hardness of the secondmaterial forming the second contacting portion 320 measures less than orequal to about 70 on the Shore A scale. In various embodiments, amaterial hardness of a material forming the second contacting portion320 is less than or equal to about 85 on the Shore A scale. Thedisclosure of a material hardness of the second contacting portion 320being less than or equal to about 70 or less than or equal to about 85on the Shore A scale, however, should not be considered limiting on thecurrent disclosure. In addition, the disclosure herein of specifichardness ranges should also not be considered limiting on the currentdisclosure.

For purposes of the current disclosure, a material hardness measuringabout X on the Shore A scale (or any other scale) measures within arange between X plus an industry-standard upper tolerance for thespecified measurement and X minus an industry-standard lower tolerancefor the specified measurement. Because tolerances can vary betweendifferent components and between different models of air valves andbecause disinfectant and other media exposure can affect a materialhardness measurement, the tolerance for a particular measurement of aparticular component of a particular air valve can fall within a rangeof tolerances. In various embodiments, a material hardness measuringabout X on the Shore A scale measures within a range between X plus 5and X minus 5 on the Shore A scale.

A third contacting portion 330 of the sealing device 300 includes acontact surface 331, which can also be described as a “land,” a lowersurface 332, an upper surface 333, an inside surface 334, and an outsidesurface 335. In various embodiments, each of the contact surface 331,the lower surface 332, the upper surface 333, the inside surface 334,and the outside surface 335 are flat in cross-section. However, thedisclosure of each surface being flat in cross-section should not beconsidered limiting on the current disclosure. In various embodiments,any one or more of the contact surface 331, the lower surface 332, theupper surface 333, the inside surface 334, and the outside surface 335are stepped, curved or otherwise of a shape that is not flat incross-section. In various embodiments, the contact surface 331 isslightly curved to match the radius of the upper surface 251 of thefloat 250. In other words, the surface of the land or contact surface331 that is contactable with the float 250 has a cross-sectional shapethat is complementary to a cross-sectional shape of the upper surface251 of the float 250. In various embodiments, a material hardness of amaterial forming the third contacting portion 330 is greater than about85 on the Shore A scale. In various embodiments, the third contactingportion 330 is formed from a group of metals or metal alloys including,but not limited to, brass or stainless steel. In various embodiments,the third contacting portion 330 is formed from brass, a material thatis softer than stainless steel, in order to not mark or mar the uppersurface 251 of the float 250 during long-term operation of the air valve100. The disclosure of a metallic material for the third contactingportion 330 should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure,however, as the third contacting portion 330 can be formed from anymaterial having the desirable material hardness properties includingother corrosion-resistant materials. The disclosure of a materialhardness of the third contacting portion 330 being greater than about 85on the Shore A scale, however, should not be considered limiting on thecurrent disclosure. In various embodiments, the contact surface 331 ofthe third contacting portion 330 forms a drip-tight compression seal athigher pressures. In various embodiments, such a compression seal isformed even though both mating parts are metallic such as in a plumbingunion.

In using the terms “greater than” or “less than” to compare the hardnessof materials or to compare the hardness of a material to a hardnessvalue on a particular hardness scale, it is assumed that the same ShoreA hardness scale is used. While other hardness scales exist and may beappropriate to measure the hardness of one or more materials disclosedherein, it is not intended that a hardness measurement on another scale(Shore D scale, for example) be compared to a hardness measurement onthe Shore A scale without an appropriate conversion factor or withoutusing an appropriate conversion chart.

In various embodiments of the sealing device 300 including a firstcontacting portion 310 and a second contacting portion 320, a firstlowermost portion (i.e. the contact edge 311) of the first contactingportion 310 is positioned a first radial distance R1 from a central axis350 of the sealing device 300 and a second lowermost portion (i.e. thecontact edge 321) of the second contacting portion 320 is positioned asecond radial distance R2 from the central axis 350 of the sealingdevice 300, the first radial distance R1 greater than the second radialdistance R2. In various embodiments of the sealing device 300 furtherincluding a third contacting portion 330, a first lowermost portion(i.e. the contact surface 331) of the third contacting portion 330 ispositioned a third radial distance R3 from a central axis 350 of thesealing device 300, the third radial distance R3 being less than thesecond radial distance R2.

In various embodiments, the third radial distance R3 is measured to apoint halfway between a radially inward edge of the contact surface 331and a radially outward edge of the contact surface 331. In variousembodiments, the contact surface 331 is effectively an edge because thedistance between the radially inward edge of the contact surface 331 andthe radially outward edge of the contact surface 331 is approximatelyzero. In various embodiments, one or both of the radially inward edge ofthe contact surface 331 and the radially outward edge of the contactsurface 331 are radiused to create one or more smooth edges.

In various embodiments of the sealing device 300, the first contactingportion 310, the second contacting portion 320, and the third contactingportion 330 each resemble an annular ring. In various embodiments,therefore, the first contacting portion 310 can be described as beingincluded on a first ring, the second contacting portion 320 can bedescribed as being included on a second ring, and the third contactingportion 330 can be described as being included on a third ring.

FIG. 5A discloses the air valve 100 in a slightly open position with thefloat 250 in close proximity to the sealing device 300 and the sealingdevice 300 shown assembled to a mounting surface 305 of the cover 120with the fastener 301. In various embodiments, the radially innermostsurface 334 of the third contacting portion 330 is flush and co-annularwith the bore surface 231 of the bore 230 of the cover 120. A verticaldistance measured between the contact edge 311 of the first contactingportion 310 and the upper surface 251 of the float 250 is defined as afirst gap g1, where the “vertical” distance is measured in a directionparallel to the travel of the float 250 inside the enclosure 130 of theair valve 100. A vertical distance measured between the contact edge 321of the second contacting portion 320 and the upper surface 251 of thefloat 250 is defined as a second gap g2. A vertical distance measuredbetween the contact surface 331 of the third contacting portion 330 andthe upper surface 251 of the float 250 is defined as a third gap g3. Invarious embodiments, the first gap g1 measures less than the second gapg2, and the second gap g2 measures less than the third gap g3.

In various embodiments, improved sealing of an air valve is possibleeven when using a float and a sealing device shaped differently than thefloat 250 and the sealing device 300 of the air valve 100. In variousembodiments, improved sealing similar to the sealing device 300 canresult when a first vertical gap between a float and a first contactingportion is smaller than a second vertical gap between the float and asecond contacting portion; a second vertical gap between the float andthe second contacting portion is smaller than a third vertical gapbetween the float and a third contacting portion; a material hardnessfor the first contacting portion is less than a material hardness forthe second contacting portion; and the material hardness for the secondcontacting portion is less than a material hardness for a thirdcontacting portion.

FIGS. 5B through 5D show the interaction between the float 250 and thesealing device 300 of the air valve 100 as the pressure inside the fluidsystem 90 increases, causing the float 250 to increasingly compress thesealing device 300. FIGS. 5B through 5D disclose the float 250 in afirst sealing position, a second sealing position, and a third sealingposition, respectively. In FIG. 5B showing the float 250 engaging thesealing device 300 in the first sealing position, the upper surface 251of the float 250 is in initial contact with the contact edge 311 of thefirst contacting portion 310 of the sealing device 300 but is not incontact with the second contacting portion 320 or the third contactingportion 330. In various embodiments, the contact edge 311 is the firstpoint of contact on the first contacting portion with the upper surface251 of the float 250.

FIG. 5C discloses the float 250 engaging the sealing device 300 in thesecond sealing position with the upper surface 251 of the float 250still in contact with the first contacting portion 310 but also shown ininitial contact with the contact edge 321 of the second contactingportion 320 of the sealing device 300. In various embodiments, thecontact edge 321 is the first point of contact on the second contactingportion with the upper surface 251 of the float 250. In variousembodiments, the material forming the first contacting portion 310 iselastically deformed but not plastically deformed as the float 250approaches the second sealing position from the first sealing position.If the material of the first contacting portion 310 is elasticallydeformed and not plastically deformed, the first contacting portion 310is able to return to the shape it held before the float 250 came intocontact with the sealing device 300 (as shown in FIG. 5A) and thus avoidthe “crush” form of seal damage that can result from the sealingmaterial experiencing “compression set” or otherwise experiencingpermanent or plastic deformation. In various embodiments, avoiding a“compression set” condition is accomplished by not loading the sealingdevice or portion thereof in such a way that it deflects more than 25%of its original height, though the disclosure of 25% deflection shouldnot be considered limiting on the current disclosure. In the secondsealing position, the float 250 is not yet in contact with the thirdcontacting portion 330.

FIG. 5D discloses the float 250 engaging the sealing device 300 in thethird sealing position, the upper surface 251 of the float 250 still incontact with the first contacting portion 310 and with the secondcontacting portion 320 but also shown in contact with the contactsurface 331 of the third contacting portion 330 of the sealing device300. In various embodiments, the contact surface 331 is the first pointof contact on the third contacting portion with the upper surface 251 ofthe float 250. In various embodiments, the materials forming the firstcontacting portion 310 and the second contacting portion 320 areelastically deformed but not plastically deformed as the float 250approaches the third sealing position from the second sealing position.If the material of the first contacting portion 310 and the secondcontacting portion 320 are elastically deformed and not plasticallydeformed, the first contacting portion 310 and the second contactingportion 320 are able to return to the shape each held before the float250 came into contact with the sealing device 300 (as shown in FIG. 5A).In the third sealing position, further travel of the float 250 isavoided by using a relatively rigid material such as the aforementionedbrass or stainless steel for the third contacting portion 330. Becausefurther travel of the float 250 is avoided, the “crush” form of sealdamage that can result from the sealing material experiencing“compression set” or otherwise experiencing permanent or plasticdeformation is also avoided.

In practice, a user may rightly be concerned as to whether a sealingdevice for an air valve is suitable for the relatively low, medium, orhigh pressures being experienced at the time an evaluation is made andinstallation is performed and also suitable to pressures that the airvalve may experience in the future during operation. Installing an airvalve such as the air valve 100 with the sealing device 300, which invarious embodiments uses increasingly harder materials to form the firstcontacting portion 310, the second contacting portion 320, and the thirdcontacting portion 330, respectively, alleviates this concern by makingit possible to use the air valve 100 in a fluid system 90 having varyingcharacteristics—such as varying pressure or surge characteristics—oreven in varying fluid systems 90. In various embodiments, the multiplecontacting portions 310,320,330 and the other features described hereinallow the air valve 100 to seal whether the pressures inside the fluidsystem 90 drop below, for example, 7-10 psig or are at the maximumcapacity of the air valve or anywhere in between. In variousembodiments, a sealing device described herein such as the sealingdevice 300 seals an air valve such as the air valve 100 from 0 psig tothe pressure limit of the air valve 100 without weeping or dripping atlow pressure and without being crushed or otherwise damaged at highpressure, wherein weeping or dripping is effectively a slow continuousleak past a seal such as the sealing device 300. In various embodiments,the use of a sealing device described herein such as the sealing device300 further permits the reduction of parts inventory. Multiple parts foreach type and size valve are not required in various embodiments becausea single sealing device such as the sealing device 300 covers the entirerange of possible conditions and characteristics of the fluid system 90.

FIG. 6 discloses another embodiment of an air valve, specifically an airvalve 100′ including the float 250, a sealing device 300′, and the cover120 of the air valve 100′ with the air valve 100′ in the closedposition. The float 250 is shown in FIG. 3 in a first sealing position,which is discussed in further detail below. The sealing device 300′ isshown assembled to the cover 120 with the fasteners 301 and includes afirst contacting portion 310′, a second contacting portion 320′, and athird contacting portion 330′. A washer (not shown) may additionally beused with fastener 301 to increase the surface area across which thefastener contacts the sealing device 300′ or to prevent direct contactbetween a head of the fastener 301 and the sealing device 300′.

FIG. 7 discloses shows an exploded view of the sealing device 300′. Afirst contacting portion 310′ of the sealing device 300′ includes acontact edge 311′, a lower surface 312′, an upper surface 313′, aninside surface 314′, an outside surface 315′, and a bore surface 316′.In various embodiments, each of the lower surface 312′, the uppersurface 313′, the inside surface 314′, and the outside surface 315′ areflat in cross-section. In the current embodiment, the lower surface 312′is disclosed as having multiple portions, some of which are non-coplanarin cross-section. For example, the lower surface 312′ is made up of atleast one flat portion and at least one curved or bulbous portionincluding the contact edge 311′. In various embodiments, any one or moreof the lower surface 312′, the upper surface 313′, the inside surface314′, and the outside surface 315′ are stepped, curved or otherwise of ashape that is not flat in cross-section.

In various embodiments, one or both of the first contacting portion 310′and the second contacting portion 320′ are formed from one or more of agroup of the same materials from which the first contacting portion 310and the second contacting portion 320 are formed. In variousembodiments, a material hardness of a first material forming the firstcontacting portion 310′ measures within a range between 10 on the ShoreA scale and 90 on the Shore A scale. In various embodiments, a materialhardness of a first material forming the first contacting portion 310′measures within a range between about 20 on the Shore A scale and 90 onthe Shore A scale. In various embodiments, a material hardness of afirst material forming the first contacting portion 310′ measures withina range between about 10 on the Shore A scale and about 40 on the ShoreA scale. In various embodiments, a material hardness of a first materialforming the first contacting portion 310′ is less than or equal to about20 on the Shore A scale. The disclosure of a material hardness of thefirst contacting portion 310′ being less than or equal to about 20 onthe Shore A scale, however, should not be considered limiting on thecurrent disclosure.

A second contacting portion 320′ of the sealing device 300′ includes acontact edge 321′, a lower surface 322′, an upper surface 323′, aninside surface 324′, an outside surface 325′, and a bore surface 326′.In various embodiments, each of the lower surface 322′, the uppersurface 323′, the inside surface 324′, and the outside surface 325′ areflat in cross-section. In the current embodiment, the upper surface 323′is disclosed as having a stepped shape in cross-section, the uppersurface 323′ being made up of multiple flat portions, some of which arenon-coplanar. The lower surface 312′ is disclosed as having multipleportions as well, some of which are non-coplanar in cross-section. Forexample, the lower surface 312′ is made up of at least one flat portionand at least one curved or bulbous portion including the contact edge311′. The disclosure of each surface being either flat or stepped incross-section, however, should not be considered limiting on the currentdisclosure. In various embodiments, any one or more of the lower surface322′, the upper surface 323′, the inside surface 324′, and the outsidesurface 325′ are stepped, curved or otherwise of a shape that is notflat in cross-section. In various embodiments, each of the firstcontacting portion 310′ and the second contacting portion 320′ includesan annular rib as shown in each of the bulbous portions including thecontact edges 311′ and 321′, respectively. In various embodiments, amaterial hardness of the second contacting portion 320′ is greater thana material hardness of the first contacting portion 310′. In variousembodiments, a material hardness of a second material forming the secondcontacting portion 320′ measures within a range between 10 on the ShoreA scale and 90 on the Shore A scale. In various embodiments, thematerial hardness of the second material forming the second contactingportion 320′ measures within a range between about 20 on the Shore Ascale and 90 on the Shore A scale. In various embodiments, the materialhardness of the second material forming the second contacting portion320′ measures less than or equal to about 70 on the Shore A scale. Invarious embodiments, a material hardness of a material forming thesecond contacting portion 320′ is less than or equal to about 85 on theShore A scale. The disclosure of a material hardness of the secondcontacting portion 320′ being less than or equal to about 70 or lessthan or equal to about 85 on the Shore A scale, however, should not beconsidered limiting on the current disclosure. In addition, thedisclosure herein of specific hardness ranges should also not beconsidered limiting on the current disclosure.

In various embodiments of the sealing device 300′ including the firstcontacting portion 310′ and the second contacting portion 320′, a firstlowermost portion (i.e. the contact edge 311′) of the first contactingportion 310′ is positioned a first radial distance R1′ from a centralaxis 650 (shown in FIG. 6) of the sealing device 300′ and a secondlowermost portion (i.e. the contact edge 321′) of the second contactingportion 320′ is positioned a second radial distance R2′ from the centralaxis 650 of the sealing device 300′, the first radial distance R1′greater than the second radial distance R2′. In various embodiments ofthe sealing device 300′ further including the third contacting portion330, a first lowermost portion (i.e. the contact surface 331) of thethird contacting portion 330 is positioned a third radial distance R3′from the central axis 650 of the sealing device 300′, the third radialdistance R3′ being less than the second radial distance R2′.

In various embodiments, the third radial distance R3′ is measured to apoint halfway between a radially inward edge of the contact surface 331and a radially outward edge of the contact surface 331. In variousembodiments, the contact surface 331 is effectively an edge because thedistance between the radially inward edge of the contact surface 331 andthe radially outward edge of the contact surface 331 is approximatelyzero. In various embodiments, one or both of the radially inward edge ofthe contact surface 331 and the radially outward edge of the contactsurface 331 are radiused to create one or more smooth edges.

FIG. 8A discloses the air valve 100′ in a slightly open position withthe float 250 in close proximity to the sealing device 300′ and thesealing device 300′ shown assembled to a mounting surface 305 of thecover 120 with the fastener 301. In various embodiments, the radiallyinnermost surface 334 of the third contacting portion 330 is flush andco-annular with the bore surface 231 of the bore 230 of the cover 120. Avertical distance measured between the contact edge 311′ of the firstcontacting portion 310′ and the upper surface 251 of the float 250 isdefined as a first gap g1′, where the “vertical” distance is measured ina direction parallel to the travel of the float 250 inside the enclosure130 of the air valve 100′. A vertical distance measured between thecontact edge 321′ of the second contacting portion 320′ and the uppersurface 251 of the float 250 is defined as a second gap g2′. A verticaldistance measured between the contact surface 331 of the thirdcontacting portion 330 and the upper surface 251 of the float 250 isdefined as a third gap g3′. In various embodiments, the first gap g1′measures less than the second gap g2′, and the second gap g2′ measuresless than the third gap g3′.

FIGS. 8B through 8D show the interaction between the float 250 and thesealing device 300′ of the air valve 100′ as the pressure inside thefluid system 90 increases, causing the float 250 to increasinglycompress the sealing device 300. FIGS. 8B through 8D disclose the float250 in a first sealing position, a second sealing position, and a thirdsealing position, respectively. In FIG. 8B showing the float 250engaging the sealing device 300′ in the first sealing position, theupper surface 251 of the float 250 is in initial contact with thecontact edge 311′ of the first contacting portion 310′ of the sealingdevice 300′ but is not in contact with the second contacting portion320′ or the third contacting portion 330.

FIG. 8C discloses the float 250 engaging the sealing device 300′ in thesecond sealing position with the upper surface 251 of the float 250still in contact with the first contacting portion 310′ but also shownin initial contact with the contact edge 321′ of the second contactingportion 320′ of the sealing device 300′. In various embodiments, thematerial forming the first contacting portion 310′ is elasticallydeformed but not plastically deformed as the float 250 approaches thesecond sealing position from the first sealing position. If the materialof the first contacting portion 310′ is elastically deformed but notplastically deformed, the first contacting portion 310′ is able toreturn to the shape it held before the float 250 came into contact withthe sealing device 300′ (as shown in FIG. 8A) and thus avoid theaforementioned “crush” form of seal damage. In the second sealingposition, the float 250 is not yet in contact with the third contactingportion 330.

FIG. 8D discloses the float 250 engaging the sealing device 300′ in thethird sealing position, the upper surface 251 of the float 250 still incontact with the first contacting portion 310′ and with the secondcontacting portion 320′ but also shown in initial contact with thecontact surface 331 of the third contacting portion 330 of the sealingdevice 300′. In various embodiments, the materials forming the firstcontacting portion 310′ and the second contacting portion 320′ areelastically deformed but not plastically deformed as the float 250approaches the third sealing position from the second sealing position.If the material of the first contacting portion 310′ and the secondcontacting portion 320′ are elastically deformed but not plasticallydeformed, the first contacting portion 310′ and the second contactingportion 320′ are able to return to the shape each held before the float250 came into contact with the sealing device 300′ (as shown in FIG.8A). In the third sealing position, further travel of the float 250 isavoided by using a relatively rigid material such as the aforementionedbrass or stainless steel for the third contacting portion 330. Becausefurther travel of the float 250 is avoided, the “crush” form of sealdamage that can result from the sealing material experiencing“compression set” or otherwise experiencing permanent or plasticdeformation is also avoided.

As discussed above with respect to the air valve 100 and air valvesgenerally, a user may rightly be concerned as to whether a sealingdevice for an air valve is suitable for the relatively low, medium, orhigh pressures being experienced at the time an evaluation is made andinstallation is performed and also suitable to pressures that the airvalve may experience in the future during operation. Installing an airvalve such as the air valve 100′ with the sealing device 300′, which invarious embodiments uses increasingly harder materials to form the firstcontacting portion 310′, the second contacting portion 320′, and thethird contacting portion 330, respectively, alleviates this concern bymaking it possible to use the air valve 100′ in a fluid system 90 havingvarying characteristics or even in varying fluid systems 90.

FIG. 9 discloses an air valve 900 attached to the fluid system 90′containing a fluid 210 (shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B). In the currentembodiment, the air valve 900 is a combination air valve. In variousembodiments, the air valve 900 may be installed at high points andchange of gradients inside a fluid system 90′ or at regular intervalsof, for example, approximately every one-quarter mile to one-half milealong sections of the fluid system 90′ without clearly defined highpoints. However, the disclosure of such locations for the air valve 900should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure, and the airvalve 900 may be installed at any location in the fluid system 90′ invarious embodiments, including regular or irregular intervals. In thecurrent embodiment, the air valve 900 is mounted on a high point of thefluid system 90′ to allow air to travel upward by buoyancy in the fluidsystem 90′ to the air valve 900, although the air valve 900 may bemounted at any point of the fluid system 90′ where air may accumulate.

The air valve 900 includes a valve body 910 with a mounting portion 932that attaches to a mounting portion 92′ of the fluid system 90. In thecurrent embodiment, mounting portions 92′,932 are threaded male andfemale connections, respectively. The valve body 910 of the air valve900 has an inner surface 901 and an outer surface 902 defining an inlet903 and an outlet 904. The mounting portion 932 and the mounting portion92′ may connect to one another using any one or more of a number ofdifferent methods including, but not limited to, threads such as pipethreads, welding, or adhesive, or may be formed integrally as one part.In various embodiments, a mounting portion of the valve body 910 and amounting portion of the fluid system 90 include mating flanges such asthe mounting portion 132 of the valve body 110 and the mounting portion92 of the fluid system 90. The valve body 910 includes an enclosure 930and a cover 920 and may also include one or more plugs 190. Theassembled air valve 900 may also include a seal 922 between theenclosure 930 and the cover 920. In various embodiments, the seal 922 isa gasket. The seal 922 may also be an O-ring. The cover 920 is assembledto the enclosure 930 with a plurality of fasteners 925 in the currentembodiment. In various embodiments, fasteners 925 are hex head bolts. Invarious embodiments, the materials used to form or fabricate each of thecomponents of the air valve 900 are the same as those used to form orfabricate the similar or corresponding components of the air valve100,100′.

In various embodiments, the air valve 900 includes a ball-shaped float250′ and a sealing device 1000. In various embodiments, at least aportion of the sealing device 1000 is assembled to the cover 920 with aplurality of fasteners (not shown). In the current embodiment, thesealing device 1000 includes a poppet 1110 and a seat 1120. The poppet1110, which can also be described as a valve device and is part of agroup of valve devices including flap valves, swing valves, and the likethat may not be characterized as a poppet and may not open and closewith the same movement. In various embodiments, a valve may closeagainst a sealing device by a rotational movement about a hinge point,the sealing device incorporating a plurality of contacting portions suchas disclosed herein. The poppet 1110 defines a bottom end 1160 a and atop end 1160 b. When the float 250′, moveable within the valve body 910and removably coupled to the poppet 1110 via a lever arm 990 and adisc-shaped button 995 attached thereto, engages the sealing device 1000to close the air valve 900, the air valve 900 effectively defines aninner chamber 912 and an outer chamber 914 that are separated from eachother. In various embodiments, an inner chamber such as the innerchamber 912 of the air valve 900 can be described as a float chamberbecause it houses the float 250′. When the air valve 900 is open, fluidand air in the inner chamber 912 is able to enter the outer chamber 914and vice versa. In various embodiments, the outer chamber 914 includesone or more cover outlets 921 defined in the cover 920 which providepassage for air from one portion of the outer chamber 914 to otherportions of the outer chamber 914. In various embodiments, the air valve900 includes a hood device—which can also be described as a cap or ventcap—which itself includes a hood 940. In various embodiments, the hood940 also includes a screen (not shown) or a plurality of fasteners (notshown) for securing the hood device to the cover 120. Instead of thehood device being assembled to the cover 920 as shown in FIG. 9, thehood device may be assembled to another portion of the air valve 900 invarious other embodiments.

In various embodiments, the float 250′ is attached to the lever arm 990to limit and direct the movement of the float 250 to a particularpath—such as an arcuate path in the current embodiment. In variousembodiments, the lever arm 990 is attached to a lever frame 980 using apivot fastener 985 and includes the button 995. In various embodiments,the lever frame 980 is assembled to the cover 920 with a plurality offasteners 981. In various embodiments, the float 250′ engages thesealing device 1000 through the direction movement of the button 995.The button 995 is positioned on the lever arm 990 to contact the bottomend 1160 a of the poppet 1110 when the float 250′ moves verticallyinside the air valve 900. In various embodiments, the button 995 movesthe poppet 1110 away from or towards a closed position of the air valve900 and allows or prevents air flow through the inside of the poppet1110 itself, and the lever arm 990 limits the range of movement of thefloat 250′ inside the air valve 900.

The air valve 900 may also include a cushion 970, held in position by acushion retainer 975 in various embodiments, to cushion the float 250′when the float 250′ nears or reaches its lowest vertical position. Thefloat 250′ is spherical in shape in the current embodiment but invarious embodiments may have any one or more of a number of differentshapes. Moreover, neither the disclosure of a spherical shape for thefloat 250′ nor the location of the float 250′ within the valve body 910should be considered limiting. The float 250′ in the current embodimentis formed from a rigid material but in various embodiments may be solidor hollow and may be formed from a flexible material, and if hollow maybe pressurized with air or another fluid.

In various embodiments, it may be required that the float 250′ becomebuoyant (i.e. float) in the fluid 210 of the fluid system 90′ so as toeffectuate the purpose of the float 250′ responding to and effectivelycontrolling the operation of the air valve 100,100′. In variousembodiments, the float 250′ is formed from stainless steel and is formedof two halves welded together to form a hollow interior that allows thefloat 250′ to float in the fluid 210. In various embodiments, at least aportion of the outer surface 252 of the float 250′ is polished to amirror finish in order to reduce irregularities at the outer surface 252where the float 250′ contacts the fluid 210 in order to prevent theaccumulation of any solid or liquid on the outer surface 252 of thefloat 250′. In various embodiments, the accumulation of any solid orliquid on the outer surface 252 of the float 250′ increases the weightof the float 250′ and either directly or indirectly affects theoperation of the valve 900. In various other embodiments, a polishedfloat 250 may not be needed or desired. In various embodiments, thefloat 250′ is sealed in such a way that the float 250′ is impermeable tofluid.

FIGS. 10A and 10B disclose the air valve 900 with the float 250′ in twodifferent positions. FIG. 10A discloses the air valve 900 with the float250′, buoyed by fluid 210 of fluid system 90, rising towards a closedposition of the air valve 900. As a fluid level 1015 a rises, the float250′ also rises—in an arcuate path in the current embodiment although inother embodiments the path taken by the float 250′ may be linear. As thefloat 250′ rises, the air escaping the air valve 900 travels from theinner chamber 912 through the outer chamber 914 before exiting the airvalve 900 via airflow paths 225′. The float 250′ is also shown engagingthe poppet 1110 of the sealing device 1000 via the movement of the leverarm 990 and therefore also the button 995 contacting the bottom end 1160a of the poppet 1110. In various embodiments, the poppet 1110 isconstrained to move in only a single, vertical direction by the verticalmovement of the poppet 1110 within the lever frame 980 and the valvebody 910.

FIG. 10B discloses the air valve 900 in the closed position with thefloat 250′ at its highest vertical position. Also shown is the poppet1110 and the seat 1120 of the sealing device 1000 in contact with eachother as the result of the fluid 210 rising to a fluid level 1015 b,buoying the float 250′ at a higher position than with the fluid 210 atthe fluid level 1015 a. In the closed position of the air valve 900, asmall amount of air is allowed to remain in the inner chamber 912, butthe remaining air originally in the inner chamber 912 has entered theouter chamber 914 of the air valve 900 or exited the air valve 900entirely. In the closed position of the air valve 900, the lever arm 990is shown in an approximately horizontal position. In various otherembodiments, however, the lever arm 990 may not be in an approximatelyhorizontal position when the air valve 900 is in the closed position.

FIG. 11 discloses the air valve 900 in the closed position with thepoppet 1110 in contact with the seat 1120. The poppet 1110 may includeone or more guide shafts 955 to limit its movement in a particular path.In various embodiments, a lower guide shaft 955 a of the poppet 1110slides along an axial center of a lower bushing 960 a and an upper guideshaft 955 b slides along an axial center of an upper bushing 960 b. Invarious embodiments, the poppet 1110 also defines a bore 1150 that runsfrom the bottom end 1160 a to the top end 1160 b. In variousembodiments, the button 995 seals the end of the bore 1150 at the bottomend 1160 a of the poppet 1110 when the air valve 900 is closed,isolating any air or fluid contained in the inner chamber 912 from theair or fluid in the outer chamber 914. As shown, the lever frame 980 inwhich the lower bushing 960 a and the upper bushing 960 b are assembleddefines various hollow cavities to accommodate the bushings 960, thepoppet 1110, and the movement of the air entering or exiting the airvalve 900.

FIG. 12 shows an exploded view of the sealing device 1000. In variousembodiments, the sealing device 1000 includes the poppet 1110 and theseat 1120. In various embodiments, the poppet 1110 includes a topsurface 1113 and an outer surface 1115 and a second contacting portion1220. In various embodiments, the top surface 1113 includes a firstmating portion 1118 and a third mating portion 1119 and defines adovetail-shaped groove 1117 that is sized to accept and secure a secondcontacting portion 1220. The disclosure of a dovetail shape for thegroove 1117 should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure,however, as a groove such as the groove 1117 may instead have a pair ofside walls that are parallel to one another or that are vertical inorientation. In various embodiments, the groove 1117 is sized to allowthe second contacting portion 1220 to flow or expand into the groove1117 when the second contacting portion 1220 is compressed. In variousembodiments, a dovetail shape for the groove 1117 provides aninterference fit between the second contacting portion 1220 and thegroove 1117 to help secure the second contacting portion 1220 inside thegroove 1117. In various embodiments, the depth of the groove 1117 isgreater than half the diameter or half the height of the secondcontacting portion 1220 in order to create an interference fit betweenthe second contacting portion 1220 and the groove 1117 without deformingthe second contacting portion 1220 except during the installation of thesecond contacting portion 1220. In various embodiments, the top surface1113 of the poppet 1110 defines a groove such as the groove 1117 havinga half-dovetail shape, where one side wall of the groove is vertical inorientation and another side wall of the groove is sloping. In variousembodiments, an elastomeric sealing element such as the secondcontacting portion 1220 can be compression-molded to the poppet 1110—andpartially within the groove 1117—to secure the second contacting portion1220 to the poppet 1110.

In various embodiments, the seat 1120 includes a contact surface 1231, alower surface 1122, an upper surface 1123, an inner surface 1124, anouter surface 1125, and a bore surface 1126. In various embodiments, thelower surface 1122 includes a second mating portion 1121 and furtherdefines a dovetail-shaped groove 1127 that is sized to accept and securea first contacting portion 1210. In various embodiments, the seat 1120incorporates the first contacting portion 1210 in such a way that thefirst contacting portion 1210 is inseparable from the seat 1120. Thedisclosure of a dovetail shape for the groove 1127 should not beconsidered limiting on the current disclosure, however, as a groove suchas the groove 1127 may instead have a pair of side walls that areparallel to one another or that are vertical in orientation. In variousembodiments, the groove 1127 is sized to allow the first contactingportion 1210 to flow or expand into the groove 1127 when the firstcontacting portion 1210 is compressed. In various embodiments, adovetail shape for the groove 1127 provides an interference fit betweenthe first contacting portion 1210 and the groove 1127 to help secure thefirst contacting portion 1210 inside the groove 1127. In variousembodiments, the depth of the groove 1127 is greater than half thediameter or half the height of the first contacting portion 1210 inorder to create an interference fit between the first contacting portion1210 and the groove 1127 without deforming the first contacting portion1210 except during the installation of the first contacting portion1210.

In various embodiments, at least a portion of one or more surfaces ofthe seat 1120 or the poppet 1110 is polished to a mirror finish in orderto improve sealing between the seat 1120 or the poppet 1110. In variousembodiments, a mirror polish at mating surfaces of the seat 1120 and thepoppet 1110 improves sealing by reducing irregularities in surfaces thatmight otherwise prevent improved sealing.

The first contacting portion 1210 includes a contact edge 1211. Invarious embodiments, the first contacting portion 1210 is an O-ring witha circular cross-section. The disclosure of a circular cross-section forthe first contacting portion 1210, however, should not be consideredlimiting on the current disclosure. In various embodiments, the firstcontacting portion 1210 of the air valve 900 is formed from one or moreof a group of the same materials from which the first contacting portion310 of the air valve 100 is formed. In various embodiments, a materialhardness of a first material forming the first contacting portion 1210measures within a range between 10 on the Shore A scale and 90 on theShore A scale. In various embodiments, a material hardness of a firstmaterial forming the first contacting portion 1210 measures within arange between about 20 on the Shore A scale and 90 on the Shore A scale.In various embodiments, a material hardness of a first material formingthe first contacting portion 1210 measures within a range between about10 on the Shore A scale and about 40 on the Shore A scale. In variousembodiments, a material hardness of a first material forming the firstcontacting portion 1210 is less than or equal to about 20 on the Shore Ascale. The disclosure of a material hardness of the first contactingportion 1210 being less than or equal to about 20 on the Shore A scale,however, should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure.

The second contacting portion 1220 includes a contact edge 1221. Invarious embodiments, the second contacting portion 1220 is an O-ringwith a circular cross-section. The disclosure of a circularcross-section for the second contacting portion 1220, however, shouldnot be considered limiting on the current disclosure. In variousembodiments, the second contacting portion 1220 is formed from one ormore of a group of the same materials from which the second contactingportion 320 is formed. In various embodiments, a material hardness ofthe second contacting portion 1220 is greater than a material hardnessof the first contacting portion 1210. In various embodiments, a materialhardness of a second material forming the second contacting portion 1220measures within a range between 10 on the Shore A scale and 90 on theShore A scale. In various embodiments, the material hardness of thesecond material forming the second contacting portion 1220 measureswithin a range between about 20 on the Shore A scale and 90 on the ShoreA scale. In various embodiments, the material hardness of the secondmaterial forming the second contacting portion 1220 measures less thanor equal to about 70 on the Shore A scale. In various embodiments, amaterial hardness of a second material forming the second contactingportion 1220 is less than or equal to about 85 on the Shore A scale. Thedisclosure of a material hardness of the second contacting portion 1220being less than or equal to about 70 or less than or equal to about 85on the Shore A scale, however, should not be considered limiting on thecurrent disclosure. In addition, the disclosure herein of specifichardness ranges should also not be considered limiting on the currentdisclosure.

In the valve 900, the seat 1120 functions as a third contacting portionof the sealing device 1000 in the current embodiment. In variousembodiments, the contact surface 1231 is equivalent to the contactsurface 331 of the third contacting portion 330 used in the air valve100. The contact surface 1231 may be flat or may be slightly curved tocomplement the shape of the third mating portion 1119 of the top surface1113 of the poppet 1110. In various embodiments, a material hardness ofa material forming the third contacting portion—or the seat 1120 in thecurrent embodiment—is greater than about 85 on the Shore A scale. Thedisclosure of a material hardness of the seat 1120 being greater thanabout 85 on the Shore A scale, however, should not be consideredlimiting on the current disclosure. In various embodiments, the seat1120 is formed from a group of metals or metal alloys including, but notlimited to, brass or stainless steel. In various embodiments, the seat1120 is formed from brass, a material that is softer than stainlesssteel, in order to not mark or mar the top surface 1113 of the poppet1110 during long-term operation of the air valve 900. The poppet 1110 inthe current embodiment is formed from a rigid material.

In various embodiments of the sealing device 1000 including a firstcontacting portion 1210 and a second contacting portion 1220, a firstlowermost portion (i.e. the contact edge 1211) of the first contactingportion 1210 is positioned a first radial distance R1″ from a centralaxis 1250 of the sealing device 1000 and a second lowermost portion(i.e. the contact edge 1221) of the second contacting portion 1220 ispositioned a second radial distance R2″ from the central axis 1250 ofthe sealing device 1000, the first radial distance R1″ greater than thesecond radial distance R2″. In various embodiments of the sealing device1000, the contact surface 1231, which can be described as a thirdcontacting portion, is positioned a third radial distance R3″ from thecentral axis 1250 of the sealing device 1000, the third radial distanceR3″ being less than the second radial distance R2″. In variousembodiments, the values of the first radial distance R1″, the secondradial distance R2″, and the third radial distance R3″ are lessimportant when the surfaces against which the first contacting portion1210, the second contacting portion 1220, and that portion of the seat1120 functioning as a third contacting portion, respectively, contactare flat surfaces.

In various embodiments, the third radial distance R3″ is measured to apoint halfway between a radially inward edge of the contact surface 1231and a radially outward edge of the contact surface 1231. In variousembodiments, the contact surface 1231 is effectively an edge because thedistance between the radially inward edge of the contact surface 1231and the radially outward edge of the contact surface 1231 isapproximately zero. In various embodiments, one or both of the radiallyinward edge of the contact surface 1231 and the radially outward edge ofthe contact surface 1231 are radiused to create one or more smoothedges.

FIG. 13A discloses the air valve 900 in a slightly open position, thepoppet 1110 in close proximity to the seat 1120 and inside the leverframe 980. In various embodiments, the radially innermost inner surface1124 of the seat 1120 is flush and co-annular with a bore surface 1131of a bore 1130 (shown in FIG. 11) of the cover 920. A vertical distancemeasured between the contact edge 1211 of the first contacting portion1210 and the first mating portion 1118 of the top surface 1113 of thepoppet 1110 is defined as a first gap g1″, where the “vertical” distanceis measured in a direction parallel to the travel of the poppet 1110inside the air valve 900. A vertical distance measured between thecontact edge 1221 of the second contacting portion 1220 and the secondmating portion 1121 of the lower surface 1122 of the seat 1120 isdefined as a second gap g2″. A vertical distance measured between thecontact surface 1231 of the seat 1120 and the third mating portion 1119of the top surface 1113 of the poppet 1110 is defined as a third gapg3″. In various embodiments, the first gap g1″ measures less than thesecond gap g2″, and the second gap g2″ measures less than the third gapg3″.

FIGS. 13B through 13D show the interaction between the poppet 1110 andthe seat 1120 as the pressure inside the fluid system 90′ increases,causing the float 250′ to rise and the poppet 1110 to increasinglycompress the seat 1120. FIGS. 13B through 13D disclose the sealingdevice 1000 with the float 250′ in a first sealing position, a secondsealing position, and a third sealing position, respectively. In FIG.13B showing the poppet 1110 engaging the seat 1120 with float 250′ inthe first sealing position, the first mating portion 1118 of the topsurface 1113 of the poppet 1110 is in initial contact with the contactedge 1211 of the first contacting portion 1210. However, the secondmating portion 1121 of the lower surface 1122 of the seat 1120 is not incontact with the second contacting portion 1220. In addition, thecontact surface 1231 of the seat 1120 is not in contact with the thirdmating portion 1119 of the top surface 1113 of the poppet 1110.

FIG. 13C discloses the poppet 1110 engaging seat 1120 with the float250′ in the second sealing position, the first mating portion 1118 ofthe top surface 1113 of the poppet 1110 still in contact with the firstcontacting portion 1210. In addition, the second mating portion 1121 ofthe lower surface 1122 of the seat 1120 is in initial contact with thecontact edge 1221 of the second contacting portion 1220. In variousembodiments, the material forming the first contacting portion 1210 iselastically deformed but not plastically deformed as the float 250′approaches the second sealing position from the first sealingposition—and as the poppet 1110 simultaneously rises to more fullyengage the seal 1120. If the material of the first contacting portion1210 is elastically deformed but not plastically deformed, the firstcontacting portion 1210 is able to return to the shape it held beforethe poppet 1110 came into contact with the seat 1120 (as shown in FIG.13A) and thus avoid the aforementioned “crush” form of seal damage. Inthe second sealing position of the float 250′, the third mating portion1119 of the inner surface of the poppet 1110 is not yet in contact withthe contact surface 1231 of the seat 1120.

FIG. 13D discloses the poppet 1110 engaging the seat 1120 with the float250′ in the third sealing position. The third mating portion 1119 of thetop surface 1113 of the poppet 1110 is shown in initial contact with thecontact surface 1231 of the seat 1120. In various embodiments, thematerials forming the first contacting portion 1210 and the secondcontacting portion 1220 are elastically deformed but not plasticallydeformed as the float 250′ approaches the third sealing position fromthe second sealing position—and as the poppet 1110 simultaneously risesto maximally engage the seal 1120. If the material of the firstcontacting portion 1210 and the second contacting portion 1220 areelastically deformed but not plastically deformed, the first contactingportion 1210 and the second contacting portion 1220 are able to returnto the shape each held before the poppet 1110 came into contact with theseat 1120 (as shown in FIG. 13A). In the third sealing position of thefloat 250′, further travel of the poppet 1110 is avoided by using arelatively rigid material such as the aforementioned brass or stainlesssteel for the seat 1120. Because further travel of the poppet 1110 isavoided, the “crush” form of seal damage that can result from thesealing material experiencing “compression set” or otherwiseexperiencing permanent or plastic deformation is also avoided.

FIG. 14 discloses a sealing device 1400 in an air valve such as the airvalve 900 including a poppet 1110′ and a disc-shaped button 995′ inproximity to one another. In various embodiments, the sealing device1400 includes the button 995′. In various embodiments, the button 995′includes a button surround 1410, a fastener 1480, and a nut 1490. Invarious embodiments, the button surround 1410 includes an inner surface1413 and an outer surface 1415. In various embodiments, the innersurface 1413 defines an opening sized to accept the end of the poppet1110′ and defines a groove 1417 having a stepped shape. In variousembodiments, the groove 1413 is sized to accept the head of the fastener1480 and accept a first contacting portion 1510, which is an O-ring inthe current embodiment. In various embodiments, the outer surface 1415includes a second contacting portion 1520. In various embodiments, thefastener 1480 includes a shaft 1482, a shoulder 1483, and a thirdcontacting portion 1530 defining a surface 1481. In various embodiments,the nut 1490 threadably receives the shaft 1482 of the fastener 1480,the nut 1490 and the shaft 1482 being threaded in various embodiments.In various embodiments, an outer diameter of the shoulder 1483 is largerthan the shaft 1482 and large enough for the shoulder 1483 to act as astop preventing movement of the shoulder 1483 past an upper surface 991of the arm 990, thereby preventing over-compression of the button 995′.

In various embodiments, the poppet 1110′ includes a first contactsurface 1610, a second contact surface 1620, and a third contact surface1630. Each of the first contact surface 1610, the second contact surface1620, and the third contact surface 1630 are shown orthogonal to andconcentric about the axis 1250. In various embodiments, the firstcontacting portion 1510 is an O-ring with a circular cross-section. Thedisclosure of a circular cross-section for the first contacting portion1510, however, should not be considered limiting on the currentdisclosure. In various embodiments, the first contacting portion 1510 isformed from one or more of a group of the same materials from which thefirst contacting portion 310 is formed. In various embodiments, amaterial hardness of a first material forming the first contactingportion 1510 measures within a range between 10 on the Shore A scale and90 on the Shore A scale. In various embodiments, a material hardness ofa first material forming the first contacting portion 1510 measureswithin a range between about 20 on the Shore A scale and 90 on the ShoreA scale. In various embodiments, a material hardness of a first materialforming the first contacting portion 1510 measures within a rangebetween about 10 on the Shore A scale and about 40 on the Shore A scale.In various embodiments, a material hardness of a first material formingthe first contacting portion 1510 is less than or equal to about 20 onthe Shore A scale. The disclosure of a material hardness of the firstcontacting portion 1510 being less than or equal to about 20 on theShore A scale, however, should not be considered limiting on the currentdisclosure.

The second contacting portion 1520 of the button surround 1410 is shownorthogonal to and concentric about the axis 1250 when the arm 990 isperpendicular to the lower shaft 955 a′ of the poppet 1110′. In variousembodiments, the second contacting portion 1520 is formed from one ormore of a group of the same materials from which the second contactingportion 320 is formed. In various embodiments, a material hardness ofthe second contacting portion 1520 is greater than a material hardnessof the first contacting portion 1510. In various embodiments, a materialhardness of a second material forming the second contacting portion 1520measures within a range between 10 on the Shore A scale and 90 on theShore A scale. In various embodiments, the material hardness of thesecond material forming the second contacting portion 1520 measureswithin a range between about 20 on the Shore A scale and 90 on the ShoreA scale. In various embodiments, the material hardness of the secondmaterial forming the second contacting portion 1520 measures less thanor equal to about 70 on the Shore A scale. In various embodiments, amaterial hardness of a second material forming the second contactingportion 1520 is less than or equal to about 85 on the Shore A scale. Thedisclosure of a material hardness of the second contacting portion 1520being less than or equal to about 70 or less than or equal to about 85on the Shore A scale, however, should not be considered limiting on thecurrent disclosure. In addition, the disclosure herein of specifichardness ranges should also not be considered limiting on the currentdisclosure.

In various embodiments, the surface 1481 defined on the fastener 1480functions as a third contacting portion 1530 of the sealing device 1400.In various embodiments, an outer edge defined by each of the firstcontact surface 1610, the second contact surface 1620, or the thirdcontact surface 1630 of a poppet such as the poppet 1110′ may bepartially or fully chamfered to complement the shape of a firstcontacting portion such as the first contacting portion 1510, a secondcontacting portion such as the second contacting portion 1520, and athird contacting portion such as the third contacting portion 1530, eachwith a matching chamfer or angled surface. In various embodiments, amaterial hardness of a material forming the third contacting portion—orthe fastener 1480 in the current embodiment—is greater than about 85 onthe Shore A scale. The disclosure of a material hardness of the fastener1480 being greater than about 85 on the Shore A scale, however, shouldnot be considered limiting on the current disclosure. In variousembodiments, the fastener 1480 is formed from a group of metals or metalalloys including, but not limited to, brass or stainless steel. Invarious embodiments, the fastener 1480 is formed from brass, a materialthat is softer than stainless steel, in order to not mark or mar thepoppet 1110′ during long-term operation of an air valve such as the airvalve 900. The poppet 1110′ in the current embodiment is formed from arigid material.

In FIG. 14, the air valve 900′ is in a slightly open position, thepoppet 1110′ in close proximity to the button 995′ and partially insidethe button surround 1410. A vertical distance measured between anuppermost tangent edge of the first contacting portion 1510 and thefirst contact portion 1610 of the poppet 1110′ is defined as a first gapg1″′, where the “vertical” distance is measured in a direction parallelto the travel of the poppet 1110′ inside the air valve 900′. A verticaldistance measured between the second contacting portion 1520 and thesecond contact portion 1620 of the poppet 1110′ is defined as a secondgap g2′″. A vertical distance measured between the third contactingportion 1530 and the third contact surface 1630 of the poppet 1110′ isdefined as a third gap g3′″. In various embodiments, the first gap g1″measures less than the second gap g2′″, and the second gap g2′″ measuresless than the third gap g3′″. In various embodiments, the sealing device1400 functions to seal the button 995′ to the poppet 1110′.

As discussed above with respect to air valves 100,100′ and air valvesgenerally, a user may rightly be concerned as to whether a sealingdevice for an air valve is suitable for the relatively low, medium, orhigh pressures being experienced at the time an evaluation is made andinstallation is performed and also suitable to pressures that the airvalve may experience in the future during operation. Installing an airvalve such as the air valve 900 with the sealing device 1000, which invarious embodiments uses increasingly harder materials to form the firstcontacting portion 1210, the second contacting portion 1220, and thatportion of the seat 1120 functioning as a third contacting portion,respectively, alleviates this concern by making it possible to use theair valve 900 in a fluid system 90′ having varying characteristics oreven in varying fluid systems 90′.

Various methods exist for venting air from a fluid system 90′ using theair valves described herein. In various embodiments of the air valves100,100′ or the air valve 900, venting air from a fluid system 90′includes installing an air valve or air valve apparatus such as the airvalve 100; moving the float 250 to a first sealing position, the float250 engaging the first contacting portion 310 but not the secondcontacting portion 320; moving the float 250 to a second sealingposition engaging the first contacting portion 310 and the secondcontacting portion 320; and moving the float 250 to a third sealingposition engaging the first contacting portion 310, the secondcontacting portion 320, and the third contacting portion 330. In variousembodiments, a prior sealing device (i.e. a sealing device previouslyinstalled in the air valve 100) may be replaced or retrofitted with thesealing device 300 prior to moving the float to a first sealingposition.

In various embodiments, the air valves 100,100′ define a nominal outletdiameter of eight inches as measured at the outlet 104. In variousembodiments, the air valve 900 defines a nominal outlet diameter ofbetween one inch and four inches as measured at the outlet 904. Thedisclosure of nominal outlet diameters of between one and eight inches,however, should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure. Invarious embodiments, the nominal outlet diameter of an air valve asdescribed herein could be less than one inch or could be as much astwenty inches or more. In various embodiments, an air valve such aseither of the air valves 100,100′ is a full-flow valve through which thecross-sectional space for fluid flow is constant throughout from theinlet to the outlet. In various embodiments, an air valve is arestricted-flow valve through which flow is restricted from the inlet tothe outlet. The disclosure of full-flow or restricted-flow air valvesshould not be considered limiting on the current disclosure, however, asa sealing device such as those disclosed herein can be adapted for usewith either a full-flow or a restricted-flow air valve.

One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,”“could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, orotherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intendedto convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments donot include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, suchconditional language is not generally intended to imply that features,elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particularembodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarilyinclude logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting,whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to beperformed in any particular embodiment.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merelypossible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any processdescriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood asrepresenting modules, segments, or portions of code which include one ormore executable instructions for implementing specific logical functionsor steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included inwhich functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executedout of order from that shown or discussed, including substantiallyconcurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionalityinvolved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the artof the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be madeto the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantiallyfrom the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, thescope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and allcombinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspectsdiscussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended tobe included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and allpossible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements orsteps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.

In addition, the size, shape, thickness, and other dimensions andfeatures of the various components shown in the figures are forillustrative purposes and should not be considered limiting on thecurrent disclosure. The drawings are not drawn to scale.

That which is claimed is:
 1. An air valve comprising: a valve bodyhaving an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface and theouter surface defining an inlet and an outlet; a sealing device mountedwithin the valve body, the sealing device including a first contactingportion and a second contacting portion; and a float moveable within thevalve body, the float having a first sealing position and a secondsealing position; wherein a first material forming the first contactingportion has a material hardness of less than or equal to about 20 on theShore A scale; and wherein a second material forming the secondcontacting portion has a material hardness of less than or equal toabout 70 on the Shore A scale.
 2. The air valve of claim 1, wherein thefloat engages the first contacting portion but not the second contactingportion when the float is in the first sealing position, and wherein thefloat engages both the first contacting portion and the secondcontacting portion when the float is in the second sealing position. 3.The air valve of claim 1, wherein the sealing device further includes athird contacting portion, the float further having a third sealingposition, the float engaging the third contacting portion when the floatis in the third sealing position.
 4. The air valve of claim 3, wherein amaterial hardness of the third contacting portion is greater than amaterial hardness of the first contacting portion and greater than amaterial hardness of the second contacting portion.
 5. The air valve ofclaim 3, wherein: the third contacting portion of the sealing deviceincludes a land; the float contacts the land in the third sealingposition; and a surface of the land contacting the float in the thirdsealing position has a cross-sectional shape that is complementary to across-sectional shape of an upper surface of the float.
 6. The air valveof claim 3, wherein the first contacting portion and the secondcontacting portion are deformed elastically but not deformed plasticallywhen the float is in the third sealing position.
 7. The air valve ofclaim 1, wherein at least a portion of the upper surface of the floatpolished to a mirror finish.
 8. The air valve of claim 1, wherein afirst vertical gap is defined between a first point of contact on thefirst contacting portion and a first point of contact on the float and asecond vertical gap is defined between a first point of contact on thesecond contacting portion and a second point of contact on the float,the first vertical gap less than the second vertical gap.
 9. The airvalve of claim 1, wherein the float engages a valve device in at leastone of the first sealing position and the second sealing position, thevalve device contacting the first contacting portion but not the secondcontacting portion when the float is in the first sealing position, andthe valve device contacting both the first contacting portion and thesecond contacting portion when the float is in the second sealingposition.
 10. The air valve of claim 1, wherein an upper surface of thefloat is flat.
 11. The air valve of claim 1, further comprising a thirdcontacting portion, wherein the first contacting portion is on a firstring, the second contacting portion is on a second ring, and the thirdcontacting portion is on a third ring.
 12. A method for venting air froma fluid system, the method comprising: installing an air valve apparatuson the fluid system, the air valve apparatus including a valve bodydefining an inlet and an outlet, a sealing device mounted inside thevalve body, and a float moveable within the valve body, the sealingdevice including a first contacting portion and a second contactingportion, wherein a first material forming the first contacting portionhas a material hardness of less than or equal to about 20 on the Shore Ascale, and wherein a second material forming the second contactingportion has a material hardness of less than or equal to about 70 on theShore A scale; moving the float to a first sealing position engaging thefirst contacting portion but not the second contacting portion; andmoving the float to a second sealing position engaging the firstcontacting portion and the second contacting portion.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the first contacting portion is deformed when thefloat is in the second sealing position.
 14. The method of claim 12,further comprising replacing a prior sealing device with the sealingdevice prior to moving the float to a first sealing position.